Iran Hosts SCO's Major Anti-Terror Drills

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Ground Forces are hosting a major anti-terrorism exercise, Sahand-2025, in East Azarbaijan Province, northwest Iran, with participation from Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member countries.

Colonel Shahram Asgari, deputy head of the IRGC Ground Forces’ Public Relations Department, said on Monday that the exercise is being conducted under directives from the General Staff of the Armed Forces, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (SCO-RATS) Executive Committee, The Caspian Post reports, citing Iranian media.

He emphasized the strategic importance of the drill in strengthening regional security cooperation and highlighted Iran’s long-standing role in combating terrorism.

Over the past decades, more than 17,000 Iranian citizens, including women and children, have been victims of terrorist attacks, he noted.

The five-day exercise began on December 1 at the military operations area in Shabestar County. It aims to enhance international cooperation against terrorism and improve the operational capabilities of participating nations in addressing regional security challenges.